I had the chance to chat to the very talented and inspiring Mallika Chabba on a late Friday evening and I am delighted to highlight some of Mallika’s personality, inspirations and aspirations ahead of her first solo exhibition at The Claridges, Delhi.

Mallika discovered her love of painting while on college breaks from the Government College of Fine Art, Chandigarh, India . She specialised in sculpture and would love to continue with wood carving one day when she has her own studio. She further went to study art conservation of oil paintings at INTACH (indian national trust for art and cultural heritage). Malika loves to experiment with different materials and that has lead to a wonderful array of works which she united under the name of Potpurri – her first solo exhibition, which is about to take place at The Claridges in Delhi, a great recognition for the young and multitalented Malika.

MALLIKA: Well, because at this point of time I like everything and my work is based on everything around me it’s a mixture of different elements forms and textures, because I don’t restrict myself to a particular kind.

LW: What materials do you use most?

MALLIKA: I use acrylics, oils, leather, spray, distemper, charcoal

LW: Do you prefer to work with certain materials and how do you decide which to choose when?

MALLIKA: I love working with acrylic on canvas but I love to experiment and it’s very spontaneous as to what material to use when

LW: How do you decide on the subject of your next painting?

MALLIKA: Sometimes when I look around all I see is different kinds of colours and then I just close my eyes and form an image…and that’s how I paint even like painting from photographs.

Since I am out of college I don’t have a model who can sit nude for me in a certain pose so I tell Kenny (Mallika’s husband) to click my pictures and then I just follow my heart. I see my own pictures and paint female figures 🙂

LW: What makes you grab a brush and start painting?

MALLIKA: I am completely nocturnal, if there is an image in my mind and colour formation I just need to get it out as soon as possible and it happens mostly when I am about to sleep, where I get up and forget abt my sleep and pick up my brush and start painting

LW: Do you admire any artist in particularly?

MALLIKA: For me every artist has its unique style but I really like the boldness of Pablo Picasso and softness of Leonardo. And in Indian art I really admire amrita Sherrill’s works and nikhal changala’s works. ooo i also really like chintan uphadya’s sculptures

LW: Thank you, Malika. Good luck with the exhibition!

Mallika Chabba exhibits at The Claridges, Surajkund, Faridabad, Delhi, India from 24th October until 31st October 2009.